Howard Center is pleased to announce Catherine Simonson Educational Advancement Scholarship Awards to staff members Astin Altenburg, Marissa Ronick, and Prem Bhattarai. The scholarship was created to help Howard Center employees reach educational goals so they can continue their careers in social services and related professions. Awardees were selected from applicants from across the agency.
Astin Altenburg is using her award to further her education at Vermont State University where she hopes to complete a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Spring 2026. As a staff member in a Howard Center program serving young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Astin is also interning at Howard Center’s Baird School and wants to focus her career on helping people reduce stress and become happier and healthier community members.
Marissa Ronick has been with Howard Center for 10 years, working mostly in residential programs, and is using their scholarship toward a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vermont State University. An internship in Howard Center’s Children and Family Outpatient Services inspired Marissa to want to work with youth in the future, especially those who identify as LGBTQIA and neurodivergent. Marissa has a particular interest in incorporating movement and game-based activities into their therapeutic practice.
Prem Bhattarai also works in one of Howard Center’s residential programs where he helps clients with activities of everyday living. Prem is working toward a nursing degree at Vermont State University and hopes to have a future career helping people with disabilities and the elderly. He plans to complete his degree in 2026.
Catherine Simonson was Howard Center’s Chief Client Services Officer until her retirement in 2022 when the scholarship fund was created with support from Lisa Steele to honor Catherine’s 27 years at the agency. When the first scholarships were awarded in 2023, Catherine shared, “For me it’s all about the need to create pathways so people can stay in the agency. We can’t do the work without the people.”
Staff at social services agencies like Howard Center often need to continue their schooling to stay in the field and advance their careers but economic pressures can get in the way. High education costs, debt from undergraduate school, housing costs, and the modest pay available in social services make it difficult for Howard Center staff members to continue their educations and strengthen Vermont’s social services workforce.
“It’s a real pleasure to be able to help our staff reach their educational goals and recognize Catherine’s many contributions to Howard Center,” said Mickey Merola, chair of the scholarship committee. “All of us on the committee wished we had enough resources to help every person who applied. Howard Center needs skilled and determined staff to deliver quality services, and anything we can do to help colleagues grow in their careers is good for the agency and the people we serve.”
Contributions to the scholarship fund can be made by reaching out to Mike Glod at 802-488-6905 or mglod@howardcenter.org or by visiting the donate page at howardcenter.org.
Howard Center helps people and communities thrive by providing supports and services to address mental health, substance use, and developmental needs. To access services, call 802-488-6000.